Hybrid headlamp systems and methods

ABSTRACT

A headlamp assembly includes a low beam assembly configured to generate a low beam distribution. The low beam assembly includes a first low beam solid state light source module having a first laser solid state light source optically configured to emit a first luminous intensity distribution and a second laser solid state light source optically configured to emit a second luminous intensity distribution, and a second low beam solid state light source module having a solid state light source optically configured to emit a third luminous intensity distribution which at least partially overlaps at least one of the first and second luminous intensity distributions. The headlamp assembly also has a high beam assembly configured to generate a high beam distribution.

BACKGROUND

Motor vehicles contain numerous lighting devices for both interior andexterior illumination. For example, exterior vehicle lighting devicesmay perform stop lamp functions, tail lamp functions, headlampfunctions, daytime running light functions, dynamic bending lightfunctions, and fog lamp functions. Numerous studies have found thatnighttime visibility is a key to highway safety.

In an effort to improve vehicle and pedestrian safety, most governmentspromulgate some form of safety regulations that specify motor vehiclelighting performance requirements. This helps to ensure adequateillumination of the roadway and enhance the visibility of motor vehicleson the roads so that their presence is perceived and their signals areunderstood in daylight, in darkness, and in conditions of reducedvisibility.

It is prudent for vehicle manufacturers to design vehicle lightingdevices which meet the technical requirements of various standardsaround the world and in particular, in their associated marketingregions. In recent years, vehicle lighting has also become important forits aesthetic appeal to consumers. Thus, vehicle manufacturers have madean effort to design vehicle lighting devices in consideration of thestyling of the vehicle on which the lighting devices are mounted.Further, vehicle manufacturers can provide optional lighting effects (inaddition to the required lighting functionality) to enhance a vehicle'sillumination performance and styling.

It may be technically challenging to provide aesthetically appealingvehicle lighting devices while also meeting the necessary cost,technology, and regulatory requirements. For example, headlamps oncurrently manufactured cars and trucks typically use significant powerand require various additional components, such as reflectors, lenses,cut-off devices, and the like. Aesthetic lighting effects lead to aneven greater number of components and complexity. Such vehicle lightingdevices often are not easily adapted to the styling of the vehicle.

In recent years, a number of vehicle manufacturers have begun usinglamps having light-emitting diodes (LEDs). LED-source lamps help to meetdesired lighting performance, reduce power, and provide improvedaesthetic characteristics.

Headlamps having one or more laser diode light sources have also beenused. A laser diode light source provides a high luminance source thatis beneficial for down the road and in hot spot regions. However,headlamps having laser diode light sources are more costly thanheadlamps having LED light sources.

The “background” description provided herein is for the purpose ofgenerally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of thepresently named inventors, to the extent it is described in thisbackground section, as well as aspects of the description which may nototherwise qualify as conventional art at the time of filing, are neitherexpressly nor impliedly admitted as conventional art against the presentdisclosure.

SUMMARY

Embodiments described herein include the following aspects.

(1) A headlamp assembly has a low beam assembly configured to generate alow beam distribution. The low beam assembly includes a first low beamsolid state light source module having a first laser solid state lightsource optically configured to emit a first luminous intensitydistribution and a second laser solid state light source opticallyconfigured to emit a second luminous intensity distribution, and asecond low beam solid state light source module having a solid statelight source optically configured to emit a third luminous intensitydistribution which at least partially overlaps at least one of the firstand second luminous intensity distributions. The headlamp assembly alsohas a high beam assembly configured to generate a high beamdistribution.

(2) The headlamp assembly of (1), wherein the first luminous intensitydistribution differs from the second luminous intensity distribution.

(3) The headlamp assembly of either (1) or (2), wherein the firstluminous intensity distribution includes a maximum intensity hot spotregion.

(4) The headlamp assembly of any one of (1) through (3), wherein thesecond luminous intensity distribution includes a concentrated intensityhot spot region and a larger spread distribution compared to the firstluminous intensity distribution.

(5) The headlamp assembly of any one of (1) through (4), wherein thesecond low beam solid state light source module includes a plurality oflight-emitting diode (LED) components.

(6) The headlamp assembly of any one of (1) through (5), wherein thesecond low beam solid state light source module includes a plurality ofsolid state light source modules.

(7) The headlamp assembly of any one of (1) through (6), wherein thefirst luminous intensity distribution is equal to the second luminousintensity distribution.

(8) The headlamp assembly of any one of (1) through (7), wherein each ofthe first low beam solid state light source module and the second lowbeam solid state light source module includes at least one of asemiconductor light-emitting diode (LED), an organic light-emittingdiode (OLID), a polymer light-emitting diode (PLED), and a monolithiclight-emitting diode (MLED).

(9) A headlamp assembly has a first solid state light source module anda second solid state light source module. The first solid state lightsource module includes a first laser solid state light source opticallyconfigured to emit a first luminous intensity distribution and a secondlaser solid state light source optically configured to emit a secondluminous intensity distribution. The second solid state light sourcemodule optically configured to emit a third luminous intensitydistribution which at least partially overlaps at least one of the firstand second luminous intensity distributions. The headlamp assembly isconfigured to generate a low beam distribution.

(10) The headlamp assembly of (9), wherein the first luminous intensitydistribution differs from the second luminous intensity distribution.

(11) The headlamp assembly of either (9) or (10), wherein the firstluminous intensity distribution includes a maximum intensity hot spotsregion.

(12) The headlamp assembly of any one of (9) through (11), wherein thesecond luminous intensity distribution includes a concentrated intensityhot spot region and a larger spread distribution compared to the firstluminous intensity distribution.

(13) The headlamp, assembly of any one of (9) through (12), wherein thesecond solid state light source module includes, a plurality of LEDcomponents.

(14) The headlamp assembly of any one of (9) through (13), wherein thesecond solid state light source module includes a plurality of solidstate light source modules.

(15) The headlamp assembly of any one of (9) through (14), wherein thefirst luminous intensity distribution is equal to the second luminousintensity distribution.

(16) The headlamp assembly of any one of (9) through (15), furtherincluding a high beam assembly configured to generate a high beamdistribution.

(17) The headlamp assembly of any one of (9) through (16), wherein eachof the first solid state light source module and the second solid statelight source module includes at least one of a semiconductorlight-emitting diode (LED), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), apolymer light-emitting diode (PLED), and a monolithic light-emittingdiode(MLED).

(18) A method of generating a hybrid luminous in intensity distributionincludes emitting a first luminous intensity distribution via a firstlaser solid state light source of a first solid state light sourcemodule; emitting a second luminous intensity distribution via a secondlaser solid state light source of the first solid state light sourcemodule, wherein the first luminous intensity distribution differs fromthe second luminous intensity distribution; and emitting a thirdluminous intensity distribution via a second solid state light sourcemodule, wherein the third luminous intensity distribution at leastpartially overlaps at least one of the first and second luminousintensity distributions.

(19) The method of generating a hybrid luminous intensity distributionof (18), wherein the first luminous intensity distribution includes amaximum intensity hot spot region.

(20) The method of generating a hybrid luminous intensity distributionof either one of (18) or (19), wherein the second luminous intensitydistribution includes a concentrated intensity hot spot region and alarger spread distribution compared to the first luminous intensitydistribution.

(21) A product made by any one of (18) through (20).

The foregoing paragraphs have been provided by way of generalintroduction, and are not intended to limit the scope of the followingclaims. The described embodiments, together with further advantages,will be best understood by reference to the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendantadvantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front-end of an exemplary motor vehicle accordingto one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary roadway, a motor vehicle,and a light distribution pattern according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary luminous intensity distributionaccording to one embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary luminous intensity distributionaccording to one embodiment;

FIG. 5A illustrates an exemplary hybrid headlamp according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 5B illustrates a laser solid state light source module and an solidstate light source module according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5C illustrates a laser solid state light source module and twosolid state light source modules according to one embodiment;

FIG. 6A illustrates components of a laser solid state light sourcemodule with two laser solid state light sources according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 6B illustrates two laser solid state light sources encased as amodule according to one embodiment;

FIG. 7A illustrates an exemplary luminous intensity distribution for alaser solid state light source according to one embodiment;

FIG. 7B illustrates an exemplary luminous intensity distribution for alaser solid state light source according to one embodiment;

FIG. 7C illustrates an exemplary combined luminous intensitydistribution for two laser solid state light sources according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary luminous intensity distribution for aflat beam pattern of a solid state light source component according toone embodiment;

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary combined luminous intensity distributionfor a hybrid solid state light source module and laser solid state lightsource module according to one embodiment;

FIG. 10 illustrates a layout of an exemplary hybrid low beam arrayassembly according to one embodiment;

FIG. 11 illustrates a functional block diagram of an exemplary low beamheadlamp assembly according to one embodiment;

FIG. 12 illustrates a functional block diagram of an exemplary lasersolid state light source module according to one embodiment; and

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for a method of generating a hybrid luminousintensity distribution according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following descriptions are meant to further clarify the presentdisclosure by giving specific examples and embodiments of thedisclosure. These embodiments are meant to be illustrative rather thanexhaustive. The full scope of the disclosure is not limited to anyparticular embodiment disclosed in the specification, but rather isdefined by the claims.

In the interest of clarity, not all of the features of theimplementations described herein are shown and described in detail. Itwill be appreciated that in the development of any such actualimplementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be madein order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliancewith application- and business-related constraints, and that thesespecific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from onedeveloper to another.

Embodiments described herein provide systems of and methods for a hybridheadlamp. In particular, a hybrid headlamp includes both solid statelight source(s) and laser solid state light source(s). As used herein, asolid state light source refers to a type of light source using anelectroluminescence phenomenon in which a material emits light inresponse to passage of an electric current or in response to a strongelectric field. Examples of light sources include, but are not limitedto semiconductor light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light-emittingdiodes (OLEDs), polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs), and monolithiclight-emitting diodes (MLEDs). A high beam assembly generates a beamdistribution that is complementary to a low beam distribution to obtaina high beam distribution.

In one example, the solid state light sources) provides a wide spreadfunction at a minimal cost, while the laser solid state light source(s)provides high luminance for down the road. Beam patterns of the solidstate light source and the laser solid state light source are selectedto harmonize differences in the beam pattern of these different sources.Additional laser solid state light sources and/or solid state lightsources may be used to blend or transition between the different lightsource beam patterns.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front-end of an exemplary motor vehicle 100. Motorvehicle 100 includes two headlamp assemblies 105 a and 105 b. Headlampassemblies 105 a and 105 b include low beam headlamps 110 a and 110 b(also referred to as a lower or dipped beam) and high beam headlamps 115a and 115 b (also referred to as a main or driving beam). Typically, thelow beam headlamps 110 a and 110 b are used whenever another vehicle ison the road directly ahead of motor vehicle 100 and/or whenever anothervehicle is approaching motor vehicle 100 from an opposite direction.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary roadway 200, motor vehicle205, and a light distribution pattern 210 for low beam headlamps ofmotor vehicle 205. Light distribution pattern 210 for the low beamheadlamps of motor vehicle 205 can be optically designed to minimize theamount of light that crosses the centerline 220 of roadway 200 to reducedazzle (a blinding effect from the headlights) to a driver of anoncoming motor vehicle 215. Additionally, a range of the low beamheadlamps of motor vehicle 205 can be limited to reduce dazzle in therear-view mirror for a driver of motor vehicle 225 directly ahead ofmotor vehicle 205 driving in the same direction.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary luminous intensity distribution 300 of alow beam headlamp as seen or measured at a screen spaced from, andparallel to, the front (emitting) face of the headlamp. A horizontalaxis H and vertical axis V are shown overlaid on luminous intensitydistribution 300 in FIG. 3. The horizontal axis H and vertical axis Videntify horizontal and vertical planes intersecting both the center ofthe headlamp and the screen. The horizontal axis H and vertical axis Vshown in FIG. 3 include tick marks spaced at 5° intervals.

Most states, countries, or regions which utilize motor vehicles havevarious requirements and standards that a vehicle must adhere to inorder to legally use roadways. For example, Federal Motor Vehicle SafetyStandard (FMVSS) No. 108 specifies various maximum and minimumphotometric intensity values (based on angle) for headlamps on vehiclesoperated within the Unites States. In addition to these requirements,the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the United Stateshas its own set of tests and ratings (Headlight Test and RatingProtocol) for headlamp performance. The IIHS tests>and ratings seek toencourage manufacturers to improve the illumination performance inactual on-road use. IIHS evaluations have shown that the on-roadillumination provided by vehicle headlamps varies widely. In addition,IIHS has rated the majority of headlamps in a poor category (e.g.insufficient illumination, excessive glare, etc.).

Point 305 in FIG. 3 is a key measurement location, defined by the FMVSSNo. 108 standard, for ensuring that a low beam headlamp does not dazzlethe driver of an oncoming motor vehicle. Point 305 is located 3.5° tothe left of the vertical axis V and 0.86° below the horizontal axis H.To meet the requirements of FMVSS No. 108, a headlamp low beam must havea luminous (photometric) intensity below a specified threshold (12,000cd, for example) at point 305. FMVSS No. 108 also specifies a minimumluminous intensity at other points on the luminous intensitydistribution 300.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary luminous intensity distribution 400 of alow beam headlamp similar to that shown in FIG. 3. Rectangular area 410,with notch 415, is a target zone that can be additionally illuminated toachieve higher ratings in the testing performed based on the IIHSHeadlight Test and Rating Protocol In some embodiments, the notch 415reduces the light emission around the point 305 (FIG. 3) that is located3.5° to the left of the vertical axis V and 0.86° below the horizontalaxis H. The notch 415 can allow headlamp assembly 105 a and 105 b toyield improved IIHS ratings, while still meeting the requirements ofFMVSS No. 108. In some embodiments, notch 415 can be locatedsubstantially to the left of vertical axis V. In other embodiments,notch 415 can be positioned symmetrically around the vertical axis V.Placement of the notch is generally dependent on the particular safetyrequirements and user preferences that do not conflict with the safetyrequirements.

FIG. 5A illustrates an exemplary hybrid headlamp 500 according toembodiments described herein. FIG. 5A illustrates a laser solid statelight source module 510 and a solid state light source module 520. Inthe laser solid state light source module 510, LD₁ represents a firstlaser diode light source and LD₂ represents a second laser diode lightsource.

The present inventors recognized that separation of the laser solidstate light source module 510 from the solid state light source module520 is desirable because the thermal, electronic, and safetyconsiderations of the two modules are different. Further, separation ofthe laser solid state light source module 510 from the solid state lightsource module 520 facilitates separate aiming and alignment of the twomodules with associated tolerances. FIG. 5A. As well as FIGS. 5B and 5C,illustrates the independent vertical adjustment of the laser solid statelight source module 510 from the solid state light source module 520. Inaddition, the laser solid state light source module 510 typically needslaser safety sensors and has additional thermal requirements.

FIG. 5B illustrates a laser solid state light source module 510 and asolid state light source module 520 having multiple solid state lightsource components. FIG. 5B illustrates six LED components, LED₁ throughLED₆. However, less than six LED components or more than six LEDcomponents are contemplated by embodiments described herein.

FIG. 5C illustrates laser solid state light source module 510 and afirst solid state light source module 521 having three LED componentsLED₁ through LED₃, and a second solid state light source module 522having three LED components LED₄ through LED₆. However, more than twosolid state light source modules are contemplated by embodimentsdescribed herein. In addition, less than three or more than three LEDcomponents within each solid state light source module are contemplatedby embodiments described herein.

FIG. 6A illustrates components of laser solid state light source module510 with two laser diode sources, LD₁ and LD₂. Each of the laser diodesources has an elliptical reflector 610 and 620, respectively with afolder 630 and an imaging lens 640 in which the light source rays arerefracted and re-transmitted out through the imaging lens 640. Anexemplary elliptical reflector 610 and 620 made of thermoplastic ormetallic material has a reflectivity (R) of approximately 0.80. Thereflector transition surface is designed to absorb light. An exemplaryreflector transition surface has a focal length range of 3-6 mm. Anexemplary folder 630 has a material with a reflectivity of approximately0.85. An exemplary imaging lens 640 is made of polymethyl methacrylate(PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), silicone, glass, or thermoplastic materialfor example. FIG. 6B illustrates the two laser diode sources encased asa solid state light source module 510.

FIG. 7A illustrates an exemplary luminous intensity distribution for afirst laser diode source LD₁. LD₁ provides a hot spot region to provideadequate light at a distance down the road. A hot spot region can bedefined as a region having maximum intensity (candela). The hot spotregion has a small aperture height (with respect to the verticallocation of the maximum intensity), wherein the hot spot region isconcentrated and/or has an increased maximum intensity near the horizon.A higher maximum intensity can be achieved, but when it is located atapproximately 2.0 degrees vertically, there may not be as muchprojection down the road or near the horizon. A high maximum intensitynear its cut-off point is optimum for down the road projection. In FIG.7A, the maximum intensity is located at a position of 0.2 degrees alongthe horizontal axis and −0.4 degrees along the vertical axis. Themaximum intensity illustrated is 34,524.20 candela having a total lumenflux of 134.79.

FIG. 7B illustrates an exemplary luminous intensity distribution for asecond laser diode source LD₂. The luminous intensity distribution ofLD₂ has more spread than LD₁ to blend with a flat solid state lightsource module. In FIG. 7B, the maximum intensity is located at aposition of 0.2 degrees along the horizontal axis and −0.6 degrees alongthe vertical axis. The maximum intensity illustrated is 6856.43 candelahaving a total lumen flux of 137.57.

Any number of LDs having different intensity distributions may be usedto provide a desired blending transition from the hot spot of LD₁ to theintensity distribution of a particular solid state light source module.In an alternative embodiment, the second laser diode source LD₂ can bereplaced with a high luminance solid state light source component due tothe distribution pattern and concentrated hot spot area. This wouldprovide a lower cost and better adaptation of color to the solid statelight source module than would a laser solid state light source module,but intensity transitions may become more noticeable.

Combinations of laser solid state light sources and solid state lightsources may be used to achieve a desired effect. However, certaindisadvantages may be realized, such as a reduced source luminance. Thiscould lower the maximum intensity and reduce a performance under IIHSratings. The optical system may also need to be larger to obtain thesame performance.

FIG. 7C illustrates an exemplary combined luminous intensitydistribution for the first laser diode source LD₁ and the second laserdiode source LD₂. In FIG. 7C, the maximum intensity is located at aposition of 0.1 degrees along the horizontal axis and −0.5 degrees alongthe vertical axis. The maximum intensity illustrated is 39,700 candelahaving a total lumen flux of 275. The combined, laser diode sourcesprovide improved tolerances and are sufficient to meet most headlampstandards and test points. In an embodiment, the optical configurationof LD₁ and LD₂ are the same.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary luminous intensity distribution for aflat beam pattern of a solid state light source component. In FIG. 8,the maximum intensity is located at a position of −10.6 degrees alongthe horizontal axis and −0.8 degrees along the vertical axis. Themaximum intensity illustrated is 11,734.27 candela having a total lumenflux of 1008.76.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary combined luminous intensity distributionfor a hybrid solid state light source module and laser solid state lightsource module, wherein the laser solid state light source moduleincludes the first laser diode source LD₁ and the second laser diodesource LD₂. In FIG. 9, the maximum intensity is located at a position of0.1 degrees along the horizontal axis and −0.6 degrees along thevertical axis. The maximum intensity illustrated is 47,205.77 candelahaving a total lumen flux of 1266.23. The combination of a flat solidstate light source module with the laser solid state light source moduleproduces a high performance uniform light beam. The hybrid low beamheadlamp provides a thin aspect headlamp assembly for optimal down theroad lamp performance and at a cost lower than a completely laser solidstate light source assembly.

FIG. 10 illustrates an expanded view of an exemplary hybrid low beamarray assembly. FIG. 10 illustrates seven solid state light sourcemodules, numbered one through seven. However, more than seven or fewerthan seven solid state light source module are contemplated byembodiments described herein. Module eight represents the laser solidstate light source module. FIG. 10 also illustrates a single continuouslens and folder. However, separate reflector segments are alsocontemplated by embodiments described herein

In an embodiment given for illustrative purposes only, the dimensionsfor each segment (individual module plus an associated portion of thereflector 610 and 620, folder 630, and imaging lens 640) isapproximately 15 nm in height, 18 mm in width, and 25 mm in depth. Wheneach solid state light source module produces approximately 300 lumens,the array of lumens produces 7×300=approximately 2100 lumens. Theelliptical reflector 610 and 620 can be made of thermoplastic ormetallic material and can have a focal length range of 1.5-4 mm and areflectivity (R) range of 0.90-0.95. The folder 630 material has areflectivity of approximately 0.8-0.95. The imaging lens 640 can be madeof PMMA, PC, silicone, glass, or thermoplastic material. However, othermaterials and dimensions of segments are contemplated by embodimentsdescribed herein.

FIG. 11 illustrates a functional block diagram of a low beam headlampassembly 1100. Low beam headlamp assembly 1100 includes a low beamcontrol circuit 1105, a laser solid state light source module 1110, anda solid state light source module 1115. One or more optional modules1120 include additional solid state light source modules, aside fromsolid state light source module 1115. An input signal 1125 is connectedto the law beam control circuit 1105. The input signal 1125 can be aswitch to initiate or dose power to one or more of the laser solid statelight so module 1110, the solid state light source module 1115, and theoptional solid state light source module(s) 1120. Other types of inputsignals 1125 are contemplated by embodiments described herein, such as alight/dark input signal.

It should be noted that while FIG. 11 illustrates low beam controlcircuit 1105 as included within low beam headlamp assembly 1100, lowbeam control circuit 705 could also be located apart from low beamheadlamp assembly 1100. Moreover, a single low beam control circuit 1105can be employed for both a right and left low beam headlamp assemblysuch that the laser solid state light source module 1110, the solidstate light source module 1115, and the optional solid state lightsource module(s) 1120 are driven in a synchronized manner.

FIG. 12 illustrates a functional block diagram of an exemplary lasersolid state light source module 1200, which includes a laser emitter1205, a phosphor plate 1210, a minor 1215, and a lens 1220. Laseremitter 1205 may, in some implementations, include a laser solid statelight source with emission in the blue visible spectrum (for example,with a wavelength in the range of 360 and 480 nm). Laser emitter 1205can, in some embodiments, be mounted on a heatsink 1207.

The light from laser emitter 1205 is directed through phosphor plate1210. Phosphor plate 1210 can include phosphors such as, but not limitedto, YAG, LuAG, nitride, oxy-nitride, and the like. Phosphor plate 1210converts the light from laser emitter 1205 to a white light. In place ofphosphor plate 1210, laser emitter 1205 can be coated with a phosphorlayer of similar materials.

The light from laser emitter 1205 is reflected by mirror 1215. Minor1215 can, in some embodiments, include actuators and/or vibratorsconfigured to broaden or tailor the shape of the light beam from laseremitter 1205. The light reflected from minor 1215 passes through lens1220. Other components can be employed in laser solid state light sourcemodule 1200 to detect failure of phosphor plate 1210 or mirror 1215 toensure the safety of laser solid state light source module 1200.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for an exemplary method 1300 of generating ahybrid luminous intensity distribution. In step 1310, a first luminousintensity distribution is emitted, via a first laser solid state lightsource of a first solid state light source module. In one embodiment,the first luminous intensity distribution includes a maximum intensityhot spot region.

In step 1320, a second luminous intensity distribution is emitted via asecond laser solid state light source of the first solid state lightsource module. The first luminous intensity distribution differs fromthe second luminous intensity distribution. In one embodiment, thesecond luminous intensity distribution includes a concentrated intensityhot spot region and a larger spread distribution compared to the firstluminous intensity distribution.

In step 1330, a third luminous intensity distribution is emitted, via asecond solid state light source module. The third luminous intensitydistribution at least partially overlaps at least one of the first andsecond luminous intensity distributions.

Embodiments described herein provide many advantages. Embodimentsdescribed herein for the hybrid low beam assembly provide a highluminance and small aperture height lamp assembly. The superiorqualities of a laser solid state light source module are combined withlower cost solid state light source modules.

While certain embodiments have been described herein, these embodimentsare presented, by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the disclosure. Using the teachings in this disclosure, aperson having ordinary skill in the art can modify and adapt thedisclosure in various ways, making omissions, substitutions, and/orchanges in the form of the embodiments described herein withoutdeparting from the spirit of the disclosure. Moreover. In interpretingthe disclosure, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possiblemanner consistent with the context. The accompanying claims and theirequivalents are intended to cover such fauns or modifications, as wouldfall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A headlamp assembly, comprising: a low beamassembly that generates a low beam distribution including a first lowbeam solid state light source module having a first laser solid statelight source that emits a first luminous intensity distribution and asecond laser solid state light source that emits a second luminousintensity distribution, and a second low beam solid state light sourcemodule haying a solid state light source that emits a third luminousintensity distribution which at least partially overlaps at least one ofthe first and second luminous intensity distributions; and a high beamassembly that generates a high beam distribution, wherein the first,second, and third luminous intensity distributions are each measured ata plane spaced from and parallel to a front emitting face of theheadlamp assembly, wherein each luminous intensity distribution definesan intensity of light, in candelas, across various points of a beampattern of each light source, wherein the first luminous intensitydistribution differs from the second luminous intensity distribution,wherein the first luminous intensity distribution includes a maximumintensity hot spot region, and wherein the second luminous intensitydistribution includes a concentrated intensity hot spot region that issmaller in area than the maximum intensity hot spot region of the firstluminous intensity distribution and a larger spread distributioncompared to the first luminous intensity distribution.
 2. The headlampassembly of claim 1, wherein the second low beam solid state lightsource module includes a plurality of light-emitting diode (LED)components.
 3. The headlamp assembly of claim 1, wherein the second lowbeam solid state light source module includes a plurality of solid statelight source modules.
 4. The headlamp assembly of claim 1, wherein eachof the first low beam solid state light source module and the second lowbeam solid state light source module includes at least one of asemiconductor light-emitting diode (LED), an organic light-emittingdiode (OLED), a polymer light-emitting diode (PLED), and a monolithiclight-emitting diode (MLED).
 5. The headlamp assembly of claim 1,wherein the first, second, and third luminous intensity distributionsare patterns that each include: at least one first area having a highluminous intensity; a least one second area having a low luminousintensity; and at least one transition area between the first area andsecond area such that the transition area has a luminous intensity thatis between the high luminous intensity of the first area and the lowluminous intensity of the second area.
 6. The headlamp assembly of claimwherein the first laser solid light source, the second laser solid lightsource, and the solid state light source each emit white light.
 7. Theheadlamp assembly of claim 1, wherein a distribution pattern of luminousintensity of the first luminous intensity distribution differs from adistribution pattern of luminous intensity of the second luminousintensity distribution.
 8. The headlamp assembly of claim 1, wherein themaximum intensity hot spot region of the first luminous intensitydistribution includes a maximum intensity of the first luminousintensity distribution, and the maximum intensity hot spot region islocated adjacent to an intersection of horizontal and vertical axes ofthe plane, where the intersection is aligned with a center of theheadlamp assembly.